1.Artificial intelligence-driven multi-omics approaches in Alzheimer's disease: Progress, challenges, and future directions.
Fang REN ; Jing WEI ; Qingxin CHEN ; Mengling HU ; Lu YU ; Jianing MI ; Xiaogang ZHOU ; Dalian QIN ; Jianming WU ; Anguo WU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(9):4327-4385
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive decline and memory loss, with few effective treatments currently available. The multifactorial nature of AD, shaped by genetic, environmental, and biological factors, complicates both research and clinical management. Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and multi-omics technologies provide new opportunities to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of AD and identify early biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis. AI-driven approaches such as machine learning, deep learning, and network-based models have enabled the integration of large-scale genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, metabolomic, and microbiomic datasets. These efforts have facilitated the discovery of novel molecular signatures and therapeutic targets. Methods including deep belief networks and joint deep semi-non-negative matrix factorization have contributed to improvements in disease classification and patient stratification. However, ongoing challenges remain. These include data heterogeneity, limited interpretability of complex models, a lack of large and diverse datasets, and insufficient clinical validation. The absence of standardized multi-omics data processing methods further restricts progress. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in AI-driven multi-omics research in AD, highlighting achievements in early diagnosis and biomarker discovery while discussing limitations and future directions needed to advance these approaches toward clinical application.
2.Analysis of inflammatory factors and BDNF expression in the brain hippocampus of Alzheimer's disease-like mice caused by Aβ25-35
Wen LU ; Jinye REN ; Xiangwei HE ; Liang TANG ; Jianming LI
Chongqing Medicine 2024;53(5):657-663
Objective To investigate the expression of inflammatory factors and brain-derived neurotro-phic factor(BDNF)in the brain hippocampus of Alzheimer's disease(AD)-like mice caused by amyloid β-protein 25-35(Aβ25-35).Methods A total of 40 six-week-old male Kunming mice were taken to construct an AD-like mouse model using bilateral ventricular injection of Aβ25-35,and were divided into the 0 d,7 d,14 d,and 28 d groups for observation,with 10 mice in each group.The Y-maze and new object recognition assay were used to test the learning and memory functions of the mice.The hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was used to observe the neuronal damage in the hippocampal region.Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression levels of phosphorylated-tau(p-tau),CD11b and BDNF in hippocampus.ELISA was used to detect the expression levels of inflammatory factors in hippocampus,including interleukin-1β(IL-1β)and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF)-α,and real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR(RT-qPCR)and Western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of BDNF.Results Aβ25-35 could impair memory and cognitive function in the mice.Compared with the 0 d group,the neuron number in the hippocampal tissue of mice in the 14 d and 28 d groups was significantly reduced(P<0.05),and the optical density values of p-Tau and CD11b,and expression levels of IL-1β and TNF-α in the hippocampal region of mice in the 14 d and 28 d groups were significantly increased(P<0.05).In addition,compared with the 0 d group,the relative expression levels of BDNF mRNA and protein in the hippocampal tissue of mice were sig-nificantly increased in the 7 d group(P<0.05),while the relative expression levels of BDNF mRNA and pro-tein were significantly decreased in the 14 d and 28 d groups(P<0.05).Conclusion Aβ25-35 may increase the expression of TNF-α,IL-1β and p-tau in hippocampal tissue by activating microglia,which in turn impaired the memory and cognitive functions of mice,and the expression level of BDNF in hippocampal tissue showed a first increase and then a decrease in the injury period.
3.Bioinformatics analysis based on effect of M2 macrophage-derived Siglec15 on malignant biological behaviour of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells and its experimental validation
Yilin REN ; Yichen ZANG ; Lele XUE ; Kaige YANG ; Sufang CHEN ; Weinan WANG ; Chenghua LUO ; Weihua LIANG ; Lianghai WANG ; Feng LI ; Jianming HU
Journal of Jilin University(Medicine Edition) 2024;50(4):881-890
Objective:To discuss the effect of sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectin-15(Siglec15)derived from M2 tumor-associated macrophages(M2-TAMs)on promoting the malignant biological behavior of the esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC)through bioinformatics analysis,and to validate the findings through cell experiment.Methods:The Tumor Immune Estimation Resource(TIMER)online Database was used to analyze the expression differences and immune infiltration of Siglec15 in pan-cancer and adjacent normal tissues.Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)method was used to detect the expression levels of Siglec15 mRNA in M2-TAMs and ESCC EC109 and KYSE150 cells.Based on the non-contact co-culture of M2-TAMs and ESCC cells,the following groups were set up,such as EC109/KYSE150 group,EC109/KYSE150+si-NC group(transfected with si-NC sequence),and EC109/KYSE150+si-Siglec15 group(transfected with si-Siglec15#1 and si-Siglec15#2 sequences).CCK-8 method was used to detect the proliferation activities of the cells in various groups;wound healing assay was used to detect the wound healing rates of the cells in various groups;Transwell chamber assay was used to detect the numbers of migration and invasion cells in various groups;flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptotic rates of the cells in various groups.Results:The bioinformatics analysis results showed that compared with adjacent normal tissue,the expression levels of Siglec15 mRNA in pan-cancer tissues such as esophageal cancer,colon cancer,and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma tissues were increased(P<0.05 or P<0.01),and the expression level of Siglec15 mRNA in esophageal cancer tissue was significantly positively correlated with the infiltration of the macrophages(P<0.05).Compared with the EC109 cells and KYSE150 cells,the expression level of Siglec15 mRNA in M2-TAMs was significantly increased(P<0.01).There was no significant difference in the proliferation rate of the cells among EC109/KYSE150 group,EC109/KYSE150+si-NC group,and EC109/KYSE150+si-Siglec15 group(P>0.05).Compared with EC109/KYSE150 group,after treated for 24 and 48 h,the wound healing rate of the cells in EC109/KYSE150+si-NC group was increased(P<0.01),the numbers of migration and invasion cells were increased(P<0.05),and the apoptotic rate was decreased(P<0.01).Compared with EC109/KYSE150+si-NC group,the wound healing rates of the cells in EC109/KYSE150+si-Siglec15#1 group and EC109/KYSE150+si-Siglec15#2 group were decreased(P<0.05),the numbers of migration and invasion cells were decreased(P<0.05),and the apoptotic rates of the cells had no significant difference(P>0.05).Conclusion:Siglec15 derived from M2-TAMs may be a key factor in promoting the migration and invasion of the ESCC cells.
4.Expression of alcohol dehydrogenase 1 A and vascular endothelial growth factor-A in hepatocellular carcinoma
Lele XUE ; Yuying JING ; Kaige YANG ; Liwen QI ; Tong WU ; Yilin REN ; Yichen ZANG ; Lianghai WANG ; Haijun ZHANG ; Weihua LIANG ; Jianming HU
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2024;59(3):499-505
Objective To investigate the expression,synergistic relationship and clinical significance of alcohol de-hydrogenase(ADH1A)and vascular endothelial growth factor-A(VEGFA)in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Methods The expression and correlation of ADH1A and VEGFA in HCC and adjacent normal tissues were ana-lyzed by GEPIA.TCGA and GSEA were used to analyze the pathway of ADH1A in HCC.The clinical and patho-logical data of 84 patients with HCC were collected,and 54 patients with paracancer normal tissue samples were se-lected as controls to analyze the correlation between ADH1A and VEGFA and clinicopathological parameters of HCC.Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the protein expression of ADH1A and VEGFA in cases and con-trols,and the correlation between the expression of ADH1A and VEGFA and the clinical progression and prognosis of patients with HCC was analyzed based on clinical pathological parameters and Kaplan-Meier.Results Bioinfor-matics analysis found that ADH1A was low-expressed in HCC and VEGFA was highly expressed in HCC,and there was a negative correlation between the two(P<0.001);immunohistochemical detection results showed that the expression of ADH1A in HCC tissue was lower than that in normal tissue adjacent to cancer(P<0.01)while the expression rate of VEGFA in HCC tissue was significantly higher than that of normal tissue adjacent to cancer(P<0.01);The recurrence rate of vascular thrombus and HCC patients in HCC group with high expression of ADH1A was lower(P<0.05).The proportion of tumor diameter>5 cm,high TNM stage,microsatellite and G2-G3 dif-ferentiation in HCC tissues in VEGFA high expression group was higher(P<0.05).Kaplan-Meier survival analy-sis showed that patients with high ADH1A expression and low VEGFA expression had a higher five-year survival rate.Conclusion Low expression of ADH1A and high expression of VEGFA in tumor tissues of patients with HCC indicate tumor progression and can be used as one of the prognostic evaluation indicators for patients with HCC.
5.Gastrin-releasing peptide receptor targeted PET imaging of 68Ga-DOTA-PEG 4-BBN for prostate cancer
Jiaqi YUAN ; Yaxi LI ; Dujuan LIU ; Ran REN ; Menglu LI ; Ninghan FENG ; Jianming NI
Chinese Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging 2024;44(5):303-308
Objective:To design and develop a molecular imaging probe of 68Ga-labeled bombesin (BBN) analogue, 68Ga-1, 4, 7, 10-tetraazacyclododecane-1, 4, 7, 10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA)-polyethylene glycol (PEG) 4-BBN, and investigate its potential to target prostate cancer with high expression of gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) while minimizing uptake in pancreatic tissue. Methods:Based on the amino acid sequence of BBN peptides, the precursor DOTA-PEG 4-BBN was designed and prepared, followed by labeling with 68Ga and conducting to quality control analysis. The tumor uptake of 68Ga-DOTA-PEG 4-BBN was assessed by microPET/CT imaging on tumor-bearing nude mice models with PC3 of high GRPR expression or HT29 of low GRPR expression (3 mice per group). 68Ga-DOTA-PEG 4-BBN microPET/CT imaging was also performed on 6 tumor-bearing nude mice models with PC3, among which 3 mice were treated with gastrin-releasing peptide antagonist 1 h prior to injection of the tracer (blocked group). After imaging, the ex vivo tissues of 3 PC3 tumor-bearing nude mice of the non-blocked group were examined for radioactivity counting to evaluation the biodistribution of 68Ga-DOTA-PEG 4-BBN, and the percentage injected dose per gram of tissue (%ID/g) was calculated. Independent-sample t test was used for data analysis. Results:The synthesis of 68Ga-DOTA-PEG 4-BBN took 40 min, with the radiochemical yield of 50%-60% (no decay correction) and the radiochemical purity of over 95%. After incubation in the serum at 37 ℃ for 4 h, the radiochemical purity remained more than 95%. The microPET/CT imaging results indicated that the uptake in the PC3 tumor was 3.2 times higher than the uptake in the tumor after GRPR blockade ((1.34±0.24) vs (0.42±0.03) %ID/g; t=5.47, P=0.005). After the injection of 68Ga-DOTA-PEG 4-BBN at 1 h and following imaging for 15 min, the PC3 tumor-bearing nude mice models of the non-blocked group showed that the pancreatic uptake ((0.150±0.058) %ID/g) was significantly lower than that in kidneys, lungs and liver ((9.452±0.234), (0.720±0.041), (1.572±0.213) %ID/g) with a profound statistical distinction ( t values: 11.28-53.02, all P<0.001). The tumor/pancreas uptake ratio could reach 16.92 in the tumor-bearing nude mice models with high GRPR expression. Conclusion:A novel molecular imaging probe 68Ga-DOTA-PEG 4-BBN demonstrates specific recognition of tumors with high GRPR expression while exhibiting low uptake in the pancreas, which shows its potential in prostate cancer molecular imaging.
6.Propionic and butyric acid levels can predict ability in the activities of daily living after an ischemic stroke
Hankui YIN ; Zhongli WANG ; Ming ZENG ; Ming SHI ; Yun REN ; Linhua TAO ; Yunhai YAO ; Jianming FU ; Xudong GU
Chinese Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 2024;46(7):631-634
Objective:To seek a correlation between short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and skill in the activities of daily living (ADL) after an ischemic stroke.Methods:Ninety ischemic stroke survivors were assessed using the Barthel Index (BI). Fecal samples were collected and analyzed for the concentration of acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, isobutyric acid, valeric acid, and isovaleric acid using gas chromatography. Spearman correlation analysis was conducted to identify SCFAs that correlated with the total BI score. Linear regressions were evaluated to explore the correlation between the total BI score and SCFAs.Results:The concentrations of propionic and butyric acids in the feces were found to correlate significantly with the total BI scores. Data including propionic acid and butyric acid levels, age, gender, body mass index, disease duration, any history of hypertension or diabetes, and other SCFAs were included in the regression models. Propionic and butyric acid levels were found to be potentially useful predictors of total BI scores.Conclusions:The concentration of propionic and butyric acids in the feces after an ischemic stroke can predict the survivor′s total BI score. Those concentrations could therefore be useful for predicting ADL ability.
7.Promoting effect of AGTR1 blocker olmesartan on the apoptosis of HTF and its mechanism
Lijun WANG ; Hongsong LI ; Wenyi ZHANG ; Meilin SHAO ; Meimei REN ; Jianming WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Ophthalmology 2023;41(2):119-126
Objective:To study the effect and mechanism of angiotensin type 1 receptor (AGTR1) blocker olmesartan (OMS) on the apoptosis of human Tenon capsule fibroblasts (HTF).Methods:Tenon capsule tissues were obtained from patients during strabismus surgery in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University.Primary HTF were cultured by explant culture.Primary cells were identified by vimentin immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry.The fibrosis model of HTF was established using 10 ng/ml transforming growth factor-β2 (TGF-β2). The cells were divided into normal control group cultured in culture medium, TGF-β2 group in culture medium containing TGF-β2, TGF-β2+ OMS group in culture medium containing TGF-β2 and OMS, and OMS group in culture medium containing OMS, and were cultured for 48 hours.Cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry with annexin V/PI staining.The early apoptosis, late apoptosis, and total apoptosis rates were analyzed.The protein expression of procaspase-9, cleaved caspase-9, bax and bcl-2 in the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway was detected by Western blot.The activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) was detected by colorimetry.The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University (No.2019-014).Results:Primary HTF were successfully isolated and cultured.The cultured cells were long spindle-shaped and positive for vimentin.The expression rate of vimentin in the primary cells was greater than 99%.A statistically statistical difference was found in the early apoptosis rate, late apoptosis rate, and total apoptosis rate among the four groups ( F=24.92, 3.96, 41.82; all at P<0.05). The early and total apoptosis rates were significantly higher in TGF-β2+ OMS group than normal control group and TGF-β2 group, and the late apoptosis rate in TGF-β2+ OMS group was significantly higher than that of normal control group (all at P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in cleaved caspase-9/procaspase-9, bax, and bax/bcl-2 among the four groups ( F=4.40, 7.98, 4.61; all at P<0.05). The bax/bcl-2 expression was significantly increased in TGF-β2+ OMS group in comparison with normal control group, and the expressions of cleaved caspase-9/procaspase-9, bax, and bax/bcl-2 were significantly elevated in TGF-β2+ OMS group compared with TGF-β2 group (all at P<0.05). LDH activity in the normal control group, TGF-β2 group, TGF-β2+ OMS group and OMS group was (783.99±79.97), (913.16±196.86), (2 529.06±240.21), and (2 134.29±138.96) μmol/(min·L), respectively, showing a statistically significant difference ( F=24.95, P<0.05). Compared with normal control group and TGF-β2 group, LDH activity in TGF-β2+ OMS group was increased, and the differences were statistically significant (both at P<0.05). SOD activity in the normal control group, TGF-β2 group, TGF-β2+ OMS group and OMS group was (50.35±0.97), (41.61±4.56), (28.88±3.26), and (37.61±4.83) μmol/(min·L), respectively, showing a statistically significant difference ( F=5.71, P<0.05). SOD activity was reduced in TGF-β2+ OMS group compared with normal control group and TGF-β2 group, reduced in OMS group compared with normal control group, and the differences were statistically significant (all at P<0.05). Conclusions:AGTR1 blocker OMS can promote the apoptosis of HTF effectively.Mitochondrial apoptosis pathway mediated by bax/bcl-2/caspase-9 and oxidative stress pathway are the potential mechanisms that OMS regulates the apoptosis of HTF.
8.Colonic stenting in acute malignant large bowel obstruction: audit of efficacy and safety in a Singapore tertiary referral centre.
James Weiquan LI ; James Chi-Yong NGU ; Kok Ren LIM ; Shu Wen TAY ; Bochao JIANG ; Ramesh WIJAYA ; Sulaiman YUSOF ; Calvin Jianming ONG ; Andrew Boon EU KWEK ; Tiing Leong ANG
Singapore medical journal 2023;64(10):603-608
INTRODUCTION:
Acute malignant large bowel obstruction (MBO) occurs in 8%-15% of colorectal cancer patients. Self-expandable metal stents (SEMS) have progressed from a palliative modality to use as bridge to surgery (BTS). We aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of SEMS for MBO in our institution.
METHODS:
The data of patients undergoing SEMS insertion for MBO were reviewed. Technical success was defined as successful SEMS deployment across tumour without complications. Clinical success was defined as colonic decompression without requiring further surgical intervention. Rates of complications, median time to surgery, types of surgery and rates of recurrence were studied.
RESULTS:
Seventy-nine patients underwent emergent SEMS placement from September 2013 to February 2020. Their mean age was 68.8 ± 13.8 years and 43 (54%) patients were male. Mean tumour length was 4.2 cm ± 2.2 cm; 89.9% of malignant strictures were located distal to the splenic flexure. Technical and clinical success was 94.9% and 98.7%, respectively. Perforation occurred in 5.1% of patients, with none having stent migration or bleeding. Fifty (63.3%) patients underwent SEMS insertion as BTS. Median time to surgery was 20 (range 6-57) days. Most (82%) patients underwent minimally invasive surgery. Primary anastomosis rate was 98%. Thirty-nine patients had follow-up beyond 1-year posttreatment (median 34 months). Local recurrence and distant metastasis were observed in 4 (10.3%) and 5 (12.8%) patients, respectively.
CONCLUSION
Insertion of SEMS for acute MBO has high success rates and a good safety profile. Most patients in this audit underwent minimally invasive surgery and primary anastomosis after successful BTS.
Humans
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Aged
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Aged, 80 and over
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Female
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Colorectal Neoplasms/pathology*
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Singapore
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Tertiary Care Centers
;
Stents/adverse effects*
;
Intestinal Obstruction/etiology*
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Treatment Outcome
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Palliative Care
9.Study on predicting the risk of retinal vein occlusion based on nomogram model and systemic risk factors
Meilin SHAO ; Meimei REN ; Wenyi ZHANG ; Zhuoyan YANG ; Yidan WU ; Jianming WANG ; Lijun WANG
Chinese Journal of Ocular Fundus Diseases 2023;39(5):381-386
Objective:To establish and preliminarily validate a nomogram model for predicting the risk of retinal vein occlusion (RVO).Methods:A retrospective clinical study. A total of 162 patients with RVO (RVO group) diagnosed by ophthalmology examination in The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University from January 2017 to April 2022 and 162 patients with age-related cataract (nRVO group) were selected as the modeling set. A total of 45 patients with branch RVO, 45 patients with central RVO and 45 patients with age-related cataract admitted to Xi'an Fourth Hospital from January 2022 to February 2023 were used as the validation set. There was no significant difference in gender composition ratio ( χ2=2.433) and age ( Z=1.006) between RVO group and nRVO group ( P=0.120, 0.320). Age, gender, blood routine (white blood cell count, hemoglobin concentration, platelet count, neutrophil count, monocyte count, lymphocyte count, erythrocyte volume, mean platelet volume, platelet volume distribution width), and four items of thrombin (prothrombin time, activated partial thrombin time, fibrinogen, and thrombin time) were collected in detail ), uric acid, blood lipids (total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, lipoprotein a), hypertension, diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease, and cerebral infarction. Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and platelet/lymphocyte ratio were calculated. The single logistic regression was used to analyze the clinical parameters of the two groups of patients in the modeling set, and the stepwise regression method was used to screen the variables, and the column graph for predicting the risk of RVO was constructed. The Bootstrap method was used to repeated sample 1 000 times for internal and external verification. The H-L goodness-of-fit test and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were used to evaluate the calibration and discrimination of the nomogram model. Results:After univariate logistic regression and stepwise regression analysis, high density lipoprotein, neutrophil count and hypertension were included in the final prediction model to construct the nomogram. The χ2 values of the H-L goodness-of-fit test of the modeling set and the validation set were 0.711 and 4.230, respectively, and the P values were 0.701 and 0.121, respectively, indicating that the nomogram model had good prediction accuracy. The area under the ROC curve of the nomogram model for predicting the occurrence of post-stroke depression in the modeling set and the verification set was 0.741 [95% confidence interval ( CI) 0.688-0.795] and 0.741 (95% CI 0.646-0.836), suggesting that the nomogram model had a good discrimination. Conclusions:Low high density lipoprotein level, high neutrophil count and hypertension are independent risk factors for RVO. The nomogram model established based on the above risk factors can effectively assess and quantify the risk of post-stroke depression in patients with cerebral infarction.
10.Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment of Lacrimal Gland Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2023;50(12):1153-1159
Lacrimal gland adenoid cystic carcinoma (LGACC) is the most common primary malignant epithelial tumor of the lacrimal gland and has the characteristics of high recurrence rate, neurotropic growth, and risk of distant metastasis. The clinical manifestation is mainly a mass in the lacrimal gland area with a poor specificity. The combination of MRI and CT is important in the diagnosis of LGACC, and PET/CT is of great value in determining the nature and metastasis of LGACC. Histopathological examination is the gold standard for diagnosis, and the type of histopathology is significant for predicting the prognosis of patients. At present, the most commonly used treatment for LGACC is surgical resection combined with postoperative local radiotherapy. However, the overall prognosis is poor after active treatment because the pathogenesis of LGACC remains unclear. This article will combine relevant literature and the author's clinical experience to review the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, imaging examination, histopathological changes, treatment, and prognosis of LGACC. Results will contribute to improve the quality of diagnosis and treatment and the prognosis of patients.


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